DOOR STYLES

DRAWERS & HARDWARE

Getting Started Checklist

The kitchen is the heart and soul of any home, and for those of us who love to cook, it is the greatest importance. Whether you are looking to heighten your cooking experience or create a kitchen best suited for entertaining, the following checklist is a great place to start before meeting with your McPherson Cabinetry Kitchen Designer. Follow these simple steps on how to prepare for your new kitchen, from Pinterest viewing to Installation.

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Assess all your needs: First, give your kitchen a thorough audit, why create space for items you haven’t touched in years, maybe they will be happier in a new home. Look around, what are the things you like and dislike about your current kitchen. Is there enough storage, where is this storage, what appliances do you want, what colours make your heart sing? This step should help you focus on what to keep and what to change/improve. Consider, does the space work or does it need opening up or extending. Often the most common change involves knocking down a wall between the kitchen and dining room, maybe you want to create a more open plan feel if you have the chance.

Ask yourself and family how you want to use the space. Do you simply need a place to prepare meals, or are you dreaming of a multifunctional area where you can also have meals with family and friends? Who are you cooking for, what are you cooking, and how do you cook it?

Layout A perfect kitchen layout allows you easy access to everything you need with the least amount of steps. The kitchen work triangle is a concept used to determine efficient kitchen layouts that are both aesthetic and functional. Consider the primary tasks in a home kitchen are between the stove, sink and the refrigerator; however a good layout depends on the individual. So we suggest you try some kitchens on for size.

Plumbing, heating, electricity Are you using existing plumbing for sinks and appliances or will you need the plumber to come in? If you are planning on a kitchen island with a sink or other appliances in your design, you need to ensure that plumbing and electricity supplies are in place before flooring is laid. Work out where permanent & occasional appliances are going, ensure that you have plug-ins where you need/want them.

Sink There’s nothing more annoying than trying to wash up an enormous roasting pan in a tiny sink or realising that you can’t wash a pan because something else is soaking. Do you need a double sink, or single; do you want it top mount or under mount? Make sure your sink, accommodates your use, preferably with a large waterproof area around it and a substantial splashback behind. Can the tap move out of the way for bigger projects? Maybe having an additional separate sink, perhaps on your kitchen island would be helpful?

Stove The stove, the epicentre of your kitchen, should be the best quality that you can afford. With gas, induction, and electric options make sure you do your homework to get the best option for your use and pick an oven that matches.

Refrigerator The refrigerator should also be the best quality you can afford, as it keeps your food fresh and lasting longer. Consider what you like to store, especially at busy times and ensure there is ample storage for your needs.

Utensils Seize this perfect opportunity to scale down on utensils. Think quality over quantity. Three quality knives that keep their edge and sharpen well, are heaps better than a full block of average knives. Consider positioning for both convenience and safety, so you can grab what you need quickly, but without the risk of getting cut.

Pots and pans While hanging overhead or on the wall is convenient and has style, it also creates a landing place for grease and dust. If you like your pots out of sight, yet still handy, consider the convenience of a deep drawer; it is significantly easier than digging into the back of a deep dark cabinet.

Lighting Dim lighting can make food prep difficult, not to mention it will be hard to determine when your pastry is done. A combination of light works best; above the stove, under cabinetry to focus on work surfaces and more general light overhead.

Be Inspired Check out our Projects and Idea pages on Houzz https://www.houzz.com/pro/arlenemcp/mcpherson-cabinetry How you want your kitchen to look is a very personal choice. So it helps to collect images from online or magazines to zone in on your preferred style and look. Also, take note of surfaces, textures, materials and accessories you like combined together. You don’t need to be too concerned with cost just yet, focus on what you love and inspires you. We can pair down as needed.

Set your budget Always be upfront about your budget so your designer can help you decide where to save and where to invest, even if you feel your budget is small. For example, open shelving is less expensive than closed cupboards, while spacious low-level, pull-out storage may mean you need fewer wall units, which saves on cost.

Also, make sure your budget includes a minimum of 10% extra, to cover any unexpected extra costs.

If you are in a quandary about where to spend, here are our top tips on where to spend and where to save:

Always go for the best countertops you can afford, as they are one of the most hardworking elements of any kitchen. Quartz and Granite are great investments as they are tough, durable and will give your kitchen a luxurious finish, not to mention great resale value.

Think about savings on your choice of doors. We can’t all afford rich wood veneers, so why not create the same look with a laminate or PVC foil finish instead? Even hi-gloss doors come in different price brackets depending on whether they are lacquered or laminated.

Spend wisely on appliances, buy the best oven/stove/fridge you can afford, perhaps go without the built-in coffee machine and wine cooler. It’s all about compromise if your budget is under strain, so make sure you spend on the things that matter the most, you can always add luxury small appliances and accessories in years to come.

To get the absolute maximum from your space, input from a McPherson Cabinetry Designer will prove invaluable. Our experience and expertise will offer you plenty of simple ideas – as well as innovative ones that you might not have even considered. Ultimately, we will help ensure your new kitchen works as efficiently as possible.

Great kitchens include a well thought out design, thoughtful storage with access to appliances/utensils, and effective lighting. But the piece de resistance is your personality and style, have fun, make your heart sing.

Countertops

We work with countertop partners to provide our customers with a turnkey solution. Offering a wide selection of Laminate, Quartz, Granite and Soapstone

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Laminate Countertops.

Key benefits of laminate countertops: Extremely easy to work with and install, great choice of designs, lightweight and affordable.

With hundreds of laminate colours to choose from, you're certain to find the perfect solution for all of your project needs. Our laminate countertop colour are available with a number of premium finish options, too. From traditional matte and glossy finishes to abstract textures, you can create a custom look for every surface. Browse our collections to find your perfect laminate worksurface.

Quartz Countertops.

Key benefits of quartz countertops: Tough and Durable, non-porous so nothing can soak in, ease of maintenance no need to re-seal, comes in a wide variety of patterns with a uniform look and feel, making it a smart long term investment.

We carry a fabulous variety of looks, colours and pricing for you to choose from.

Granite Countertops.

Key benefits of granite countertops: Granite is a natural stone and can be forgiving of temperature change, but we don’t recommend temperature shocking any surface. Various minerals within granite add depth and uniqueness to every piece (there are no two alike), and the colour will never fade.

Granite does require a little more care, as it will need re-sealing yearly to keep it non-porous

Soapstone Countertops.

Key benefits of soapstone countertops: 100% non-porous which will keep it bacteria-free, easier to maintain with periodic oiling. While not as hard as granite, this material is more pliable. That means it is less brittle, so it won’t crack unexpectedly from stress or weight. Ease to clean with cloth and mild soap.

Soapstone is fairly soft, so you’ll want to avoid cutting or dropping anything on it.

Solid Surface/Acrylic/Corian Countertops.

Made from solid resin which is a hard, plastic like surface it is virtually seamless.

Can scratch, dent or scrape but is fairly easy to repair with buffing or polishing

Does not require resealing, but lighter colours are prone to staining (red wine).

High heat will cause it to melt.

Product Care & Maintenance Guide

We are confident you will be more than pleased with your new cabinetry and wish to make the best decisions in protecting its fabulous appearance. Please take some time to read through these helpful tips, and warranty information, to ensure your products look their best for many years to come.

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LIMITED WARRANTYAll cabinets & drawers are warranted to the original purchaser for a period of three years, from the date your installation is completed. Hinges & drawer guides come with a Lifetime Warranty.

GENERAL CAREOur products are built to give you many years of enjoyment. it is important to always use care to ensure you get the most out of them. Please remember that no matter what products you have purchased, heat and moisture are hazards to be avoided. Always wipe off excess moisture, and be careful with extreme heat sources, such as kettles, toasters, ovens, and base heaters. Never use abrasives or corrosive products.

CARE OF THERMOFOIL/PVC CABINET DOORSClean all spills immediately using a soft cloth and clean water. Remove oil, grease, or other substances not responsive to water alone with soap & water, or a mild household cleaner. Note: Cleaners with acetone, ethyl alcohol or mineral oils should NOT be used.

CARE OF GLASS DOORSExtra care is required when cleaning glass doors. Use an ammonia-free glass cleaner on a clean, soft, lint-free cloth or paper towel. Do not spray cleaner directly on the glass, as it could seep between the material & glass, and cause damage.

CARE OF QUARTZ & GRANITE COUNTERTOPSQuartz and Granite surfaces can be cleaned with warm water and soft cotton cloth; NEVER use abrasives or corrosive cleaning products. Avoid sudden or rapid temperature changes and always use a trivet under hot pots, as extreme hear could cause discolouration or cracking.

CARE OF LAMINATE COUNTERTOPSLaminate surfaces can be cleaned with a mild soap and water solution. Tougher stains can be cleaned with a mild household cleaner. NEVER use abrasives or corrosive cleaning products. Never leave liquid of any kind in the joints or on your countertops either.

CARE OF SOLID SURFACE/ACRYLIC/CORIAN COUNTERTOPSUse a damp microfiber cloth to wipe them down. For dirty or stained areas, use mild dish soap and water. Also acceptable are ammonia-based cleaners such as most glass or general purpose cleaners. Towel dry the surface to prevent water spots.